National Learn to Play Day is an even being sponsored in the UK by the ‘Music for All’ charity on Saturday March 31st, 2012. Her are a few details:

On this day, the UK’s musical instrument shops will open their doors and offer free instrument “taster” lessons to the general public.

There are 15 million people in the UK that either want to play an instrument or used to play one. The Day is designed to welcome people into music shops and to inspire them to get playing. People are often surprised to discover that they ARE musical and simply need a musical “experience” to get them inspired to start playing.

The Day will offer free lessons on a variety of instruments, supported by music teachers and additional guidance on getting started learning to play music. The UK’s instrument manufacturers will also be supporting the event with staff, instruments and special offers!

Paul McManus, Chief Executive of Music For All commenting on the event said, “Music for All knows how much music can change and enrich people’s lives. We are hosting the annual Learn to Play Day to allow as many people as possible to experience the wonderful world of making music”.

The charity is also proud to have partnered for the event with the Musicians’ Union, Arts Council England’s Take it away scheme, MusicTeachers.co.uk and Musicradar.com

Since this is a UK-specific event … why bring it up? Well, first for any of our UK readers of those with friends or family there, this is a great opportunity!

But even for those in other countries, it is a great goal – learning musical instruments for those with aspirations! Look at some of the goals of ‘Music for All':

* Promoting the substantial and wide ranging benefits of music making * Bringing “Learn to Play” experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds * Being committed to addressing the needs of community and diversity, especially those who do not have access to music making

They even have an interest-free loan program to help people looking to buy a musical instrument:

Take it away is an initiative from Arts Council England that aims to get more children and young people playing music by providing interest free loans for the purchase of musical instruments and associated goods. The scheme is open to adults buying a musical instrument for a child under the age of 18, and 18-25 year olds who can apply in their own right. Take it away is currently available through a network of over 300 musical instrument retailers across England.

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